JP2598784B2 - Method and apparatus for gripping / transferring a sheet of flexible plastic material - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for producing a layered structure such as a laminated glazing and an apparatus therefor.

[Conventional technology]

Laminated glazings used in construction and transport vehicles, especially windshields, are usually made of glass sheets or at least one rigid sheet made of a sheet of plastic material such as polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate and polyvinyl butyral or It is formed of at least one sheet of flexible plastic material made of polyurethane or the like, and the latter sheet of flexible plastic material is usually used as an intermediate sheet of a structure made of two rigid sheets.

To manufacture a glazing, first a sheet of flexible plastic material is cut into a precise geometric shape slightly larger than the dimensions of the product, superimposed on the other elements forming the glazing, and then All these forming elements are usually 2
Assemble according to the assembly process of the process. In the first step, for example, polishing is performed before assembling, and in the second step, disinfection is performed while applying the temperature and pressure necessary for final assembly.

More particularly, the present invention relates to the step of laminating a sheet of flexible plastic material to other elements forming a glazing and related processes, and more particularly to a flexible plastic material in a storage station located near a deposition station. The transfer of a sheet of flexible plastic material toward a sheet picking and stacking station and the superposition of precise positions on the stack.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

One of the problems encountered during the manufacturing process of laminated glazing is
It is difficult to grip the sheet of flexible plastic material at the storage station and properly position it for deposition to form a glazing. Sheets of flexible plastic materials such as polyvinyl butyl and polyurethane will adhere to each other to some extent depending on the ambient temperature of the assembly plant. This is a phenomenon that is often observed when a sheet is gripped at a storage and deposition station, and when an attempt is made to grip the uppermost sheet of the deposition sheet, the sheet immediately below the uppermost sheet adheres to the uppermost sheet. It is known to be gripped together. This phenomenon is quite troublesome when the sheet has to be put in place. In the automatic assembling process of the glazing, it is designed so that the sheet placed in a predetermined position is grasped, transferred to a deposition station through a path of a predetermined length, and the glazing is laminated. Thus, if the sheet is deviated from the correct gripping position, it will be superimposed on the incorrect position at the deposition station.

An object of the present invention is to provide a deposition station for gripping a sheet of flexible plastic material located on top of a stack of the same sheet at a gripping station and forming a layered structure such as a glazing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for transporting the sheet toward the same and superimposing the sheet and the sheet immediately below on the pile without accidental movement.

[Means for solving the problem]

According to the invention, in gripping the sheet of plastic material by suction acting on the gripping member, the rocking of the gripping member first exerts a suction on the central part of the sheet of plastic material, In order to spread the suction action towards one end of the sheet of plastic material, and then exert a suction action towards the other end of the sheet of plastic material, thus giving the entire sheet of topmost plastic material placed on the table. It has a suction effect on the surface. Subsequently, the sheets are transported to and stacked on a deposition station.

The suction effect is exerted on points that are evenly distributed on the entire surface of the sheet. In a variant, the suction force may be exerted on the entire remaining surface of the sheet except for the central portion, or may be exerted only on the peripheral edge of the sheet. This modification is used, for example, when gripping a large-sized sheet for a large vehicle. The suction force can be changed. The suction force is determined by the weight of the object to be grasped.

The present invention also provides a method for holding a sheet of a flexible plastic material at a storage station and transferring the sheet to a deposition station of a production line for a layered structure such as a glazing. Related to the device.
The device comprises a gripping device capable of ascending and descending drive, wherein the gripping device is provided with an oscillating gripping member having a suctionable curved lower working surface, and a rocking mechanism for rocking the gripping member. A moving means and a transfer means for transferring the gripping device are provided, and a suction hole for gripping a sheet of plastic material by a suction action is provided on a lower working surface of the gripping member.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows a gripping station located near a deposition station for a glass sheet (only one glass sheet 3 is shown in the figure), which is an element of a glazing, comprising a flexible plastic sheet. A gripping transfer device 1 is provided and deflects.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the gripping device 5 of the gripping transfer device 1
Is formed in a framework 6 having two long frames 7, 8 whose upper parts are connected to each other by a horizontal rail 9. The two long frames 7 and 8 are integrally fixed to a lower surface of a gantry 10 that is provided so as to be able to move up and down along two vertical rails 11 and 12 attached to a laterally movable carriage 13. The gripping device 5 can move up and down.
This vertical movement is achieved by a nut integrated with the gantry 10.
This is performed by rotating a vertical screw rod 17 screwed to 18 with a numerical control motor 16. The numerical control motor 16 is provided on a bifurcated lateral arm 19 carried by the carriage 13. The vertical weight of the gripping device 5 is two horizontal springs
Balanced by 20. The movable end (unfixed end) of the spring 20 is the same horizontal shaft provided at the free end of the bilateral arm 19.
Each is fixed to two cables 21 wound around two eccentric pulleys 22 carried by 23. Eccentric pulley 22
The balance of the pulling force caused by the extension of the spring 20 is balanced by. These eccentric pulleys 22 are formed so as to rotate in the same manner as two other pulleys 24 around the same horizontal axis 23. These other pulleys 24 have two vertical chains
25 is wound and the end of the vertical chain is a gantry
It is fixed to the horizontal member 26 on the top 10. The fixed end of the horizontal spring 20 is fixed to a vertical plate 27 provided at the rear end of the bifurcated arm 19. With this structure, the weight of the gripping device can be balanced at all points in the vertical direction.

The carriage 13 can move in the horizontal direction along horizontal rails 28 and 29 carried above and below a horizontal transverse beam 30. This side 30 is an element of a double-glazing (glass plate)
Are arranged at right angles to the movement line of the deposition station where the is deposited. That is, the carriage 13 transfers the sheet of the flexible plastic material picked up by the holding device at the holding station toward the stacking station for one element (glass plate) of the glazing.

On the gantry 10, a small horizontal beam 31 extending along the longitudinal center line of the framework 6 is carried. Working cylinders 32 and 33 are pivotally mounted on both ends of the small horizontal beam 31, respectively. Piston rods 34 and 35 of the working cylinders 32 and 33 are pivotally mounted on pins 36 and 37 carried by bearings 38 and 39, respectively. The bearings 38, 39 are integrally attached to horizontal members 40, 41 formed as a part of the gripping member. The gripping member 42 has a curved surface projecting downward on the lower surface, and the center of the gripping member 42,
Are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through the center of.

The gripping member 42 is a sturdy metal structure and includes two elongated members 43 and 44 whose lower surfaces are curved in a circular shape, and the two members 43 and 44 are connected to each other by a horizontal member 45.
The cross members 46, 47 at both ends connecting the two elongated members 43, 44 are screwed to the cross members 40, 41, respectively.

The lower surface of the gripping member 42 is formed of one hard plastic material plate that protrudes downward and curves in an arc shape. As will be described later, the plate is provided with a large number of holes large enough to suction a sheet of a flexible plastic material.

As shown in FIG. 4, each hole is surrounded by an elastic foamed resin ring 82 having a thickness of about 1 cm. The number of the holes varies depending on the size of the gripping member 42. For example, a gripping member having a length of 2 m and a width of 80 cm has approximately 400 holes.

The above plastic material plate is composed of two arc-shaped members 4
3, 44, which are attached to the lower surface of the
Of the plate made of a plastic material forming the lower surface of the substrate. This plate of plastic material is rigid,
It can be curved to a desired curvature.

The upper surface 49 of the gripping member 42 formed of a plastic plate is formed in the shape of a suction duct device, and the suction duct device has two main ducts in the longitudinal direction provided symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal surface of the gripping member, Lateral ducts arranged at intervals of about 5 cm. These ducts communicate with the above-mentioned holes provided on the lower surface 48 of the gripping member 42. A suction pipe is connected to the two main ducts on the upper surface 49 of the gripping member.

Two plates 52, 53 are provided on the two horizontal members 50, 51, respectively, which are symmetric with respect to a vertical plane passing through the horizontal axis of the gripping member 42. On these two plates 52, 53, contact rollers 54, 55 attached to one end of lever members 56, 57 are provided in a contact state,
The lever members 56 and 57 are centered on pins 58 and 59 of two ears 60 and 61 provided on the framework 6 symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing through the horizontal axis of the framework. The lever members 56,57 also have pins 62,63 between the central pivot point and the end opposite the contact roller. The pins 62, 63 are engaged with the lower ends of vertical springs 64, 65 having their upper ends attached to the lower ends of vertical mandrels 66, 67 screwed into the horizontal small transverse beam 31. Small rods 68, 69 are provided at the ends of the lever members 56, 57 on the side opposite to the contact roller, so that when the gripping member 42 is in the horizontal position,
The gantry 10 is brought into contact with the lower surface by the action of 64,65.

The four leaf springs 72 hold the gripping member 42 so as to be located at the center equilibrium position. One end of the two springs 72 is a horizontal member.
The other end of one spring is fixed to the other end of the bed plate 73, and the other end of the other spring is fixed to the bed plate 74.
Is fixed to the end. Similarly, the other two springs
72, one end is fixed to the horizontal member 47, the other end of one spring is fixed to the opposite end of the bed plate 73, and the other end of the other spring is fixed to the opposite end of the bed plate 74.
The balance of the gripping member 42 is maintained by these four leaf springs.

When the pad (ring made of foamed resin) 82 of the gripping member 42 is operated, the gripping member 42 is pressed against the accumulation of the plastic sheet by the lever members 56 and 57 and the spring to deform the gripping member. In this way, the bending of the gripping member during use is reduced.

The framework 6 is provided with a proximity detector (not shown). This detector projects through the gripping member and detects the position of the plastic sheet blank 2 to be gripped at the top of the stack and is brought into the gripping member when it comes into contact with the blank 2.

In the gripping station, the gripping transfer device is located vertically above the table 4 carrying the blanks 2 stacked regularly one by one. Various gripping positions are provided in the manufacturing process of the glazing. At these locations, tables (not shown) are provided in which the same or different blanks are stacked, depending on the type of glazing to be manufactured. The gripping device is placed in a predetermined position, but can also be moved along the upper and lower rails 28, 29 for that purpose.

The carriage 13 slides on the rail by air cushion movement. The carriage 13 is moved by a numerically controlled motor 75 provided on the frame 80. A toothed belt 77 having one end 78 fixed to one side of the carriage 13 is driven by a gear 76 attached to the motor 75. The other end 79 of the toothed belt 77 is fixed to the other side of the carriage 13. The toothed belt 77 is wound around a pulley provided at an end (not shown) of the horizontal beam 30, and is formed endless as a whole.

The operation of the present invention will be described for the production of a glazing formed from two sheets of glass and one intermediate sheet of polyvinyl butyral. All operations are driven and controlled by the electronic system.

Conveyor 81 transports the two sheets of glass to a deposition station where they are adjusted to the correct location for deposition. A gripping and transferring device for a sheet of a flexible plastic material serving as an intermediate material arrives at a position vertically above the table 4 where the blanks 2 are appropriately stacked. This vertical upper position is predetermined. The gripping device 5 (in other words, the vertically movable portion of the gripping transfer device) is lowered by driving a vertical screw rod 17 rotating in a nut 18 by a motor 16, and a proximity detector (not shown) is used to Is detected as the blank 2 on the uppermost surface. At this moment the detector is retracted into the thickness of the gripping member. After that, the downward movement of the gripping device 5 is continued, and the ring 82 provided in the intermediate region of the lower surface 48 of the gripping member 42 comes into contact with the intermediate portion of the blank 2. The suction action of the blank portion contacted by the ring 82 is started, and at the same time, the swinging of the gripping member 42 in the longitudinal direction is started. The gripping member 42 swings toward one end of the blank 2 and then swings toward the other end of the blank 2 in the opposite direction. The swing is performed by the working cylinders 32 and 33.
This swing is balanced by the two lever members 56 and 57. This swinging is performed by the pads on the longitudinal side of the framework 6 having the bed plates 73 and 74. During the swinging, the blank 2 on the uppermost surface is moved by the gripping member via the ring 82 provided on the lower surface of the gripping member 42. It is gripped sequentially. At the end of the swing of the gripping member, the uppermost blank is completely gripped by the gripping member. That is, the blank receives a suction force over its entire surface by the holes arranged on the lower surface of the gripping member.

When the uppermost blank 2 is gripped, the other blanks are maintained in their original positions by the action of the gripping member.
When the swinging is completed and the entire top surface of the blank 2 is gripped by the suction force, the gripping device is raised by the operation of the motor 16. Next, the belt 77 driven by the motor 75
The carriage 13 is pulled along the horizontal rails 28 and 29 to transfer the gripping device 5 toward the deposition station. At this station, the glass plate 3 is already in the deposition position. Other glass plates (not shown) are in a standby state at positions outside the transfer path of the gripping transfer device 1.
Next, the gripping device 5 is lowered to just above the glass plate 3 by the motor 16, and the suction operation of the device is stopped to place the blank 2 on the horizontally arranged glass plate 3. The gripper transfer device is then lifted up and returned to a gripper or similar station where another blank is gripped at the station to assemble a new glazing. In the meantime, a device cooperating with a second glass plate (not shown)
The deposition is completed on the blanks 2 already arranged on the first glass plate 3, and the laminated glass thus completed is transferred to the next station on the automatic assembly line.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire apparatus for gripping and transferring a sheet of a flexible plastic material according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in which the sheets are accumulated in a standby state on a table. FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, omitting a table, and FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a lower surface of a pad of the gripping apparatus. 2 ... flexible plastic material sheet, 5 ... gripping device, 6 ... frame, 13 ... carriage, 16 ... numerical control motor, 20 ... spring, 32, 33 ... working cylinder, 42 ... ... gripping member, 72 ... leaf spring, 73, 74 ... shoes member, 75 ... numerical control motor.

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-56-52334 (JP, A) JP-A-57-117431 (JP, A) JP-A-50-1224084 (JP, U)

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] 1. A manufacturing station for a layered structure such as a glazing, wherein an upper sheet is gripped from a stack of sheets of a flexible plastic material disposed at a gripping station, and the sheet is stacked from the gripping station. And a sheet gripping / transporting method for accurately placing the sheet at a predetermined stacking position of a manufacturing station, including a swing type gripping member having a suction action for gripping the sheet at the gripping station. The suction action first acts on the middle portion of the sheet, then acts on one end of the sheet in response to the swinging of the gripping member in one direction, and then acts on the sheet in response to the swinging of the gripping member in the opposite direction. To the opposite end of the sheet, acting on one side of the sheet to completely hold the sheet. The gripped sheet is transported from the gripping station to the manufacturing station. Where the sheet is a method which is characterized in that is released placed in a predetermined stacking position. 2. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein the suction operation is performed at suction points distributed on the sheet surface.
The described method. 3. A station for manufacturing a layered structure such as a glazing, wherein the upper one sheet is gripped from a pile of sheets of a flexible plastic material disposed at a gripping station, and the sheet is stacked from the gripping station. A sheet gripping / transporting device for accurately transporting the sheet to a predetermined stacking position of a manufacturing station, comprising a curved lower working surface (48) formed of a rigid plastic plate material and having a suction action. Up and down driven gripping device (5) with oscillating gripping member (42)
Swinging means (32, 33) for swinging the gripping member (42); and transfer means (28, 29, 77, etc.) for transferring the gripping device (5). Apparatus characterized in that said working surface (48) has a suction orifice on the entire surface to enable sheet suction. 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the gripping devices are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the pivot axis. 5. The gripping device (5) includes a frame (6) provided with a bed plate (73, 74), and both longitudinal sides of the gripping member (42) are pivoted by the gripping member (42). Device according to any of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that during movement it comes into contact with the bed plate (73, 74). 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, including a spring (72) for balancing the horizontal position of said gripping member (42). 7. The swinging means comprises an actuator (32, 3
Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that it comprises (3). 8. The device according to claim 3, wherein the gripping device is driven up and down by a numerical control motor. 9. The device according to claim 3, wherein the gripping device is supported via a weight compensator comprising spring means. 10. A numerical control motor (75), wherein:
Device according to one of the claims 3 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a carriage (13) driven by: 11. The device according to claim 3, wherein the device is controlled by an electronic device. 12. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus is used at different gripping stations on the same production line. 13. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus is applied to gripping and transporting a polyvinyl butyral sheet material used for manufacturing a laminated glazing.